Xiao Letian's flyer offensive finally escalated after ten days. When the Manchus were still hesitating whether to kill or caress Xiao Letian, Xiao Letian finally resorted to his last resort. A newspaper appeared out of thin air in Beijing.
Countless people in the capital discovered this so-called 'newsprint' posted on the wall almost at the same time. This was something more attractive to the people than posters and leaflets, because the content inside was so exciting.
"Hey! What is this? It's such an old word! How much does it cost to print a copy of this? I think it costs ten coppers at least..."
"What Mr. Liu is saying is that with such a big piece of paper and such densely printed seals, even ten copper coins cannot be removed..."
When the sky was bright, a large group of people had gathered on the street corner. Although the Eight Banners men were dandy, they had no problem with basic literacy. They became voluntary commentators.
"The Nancheng Dayun Rice Shop is selling substandard goods, mixing new rice with old rice, harming the people? And it was an internal clerk who broke the news? Hey, my uncle's family always eats their rice. Is this true or false?"
"Xiao Moumou, a member of the Ministry of Works, took advantage of the irrigated land in Liushugou in the west of Beijing? Forced a family of three to death? Oh, isn't that the man named Xiao who is a member of the Ministry of Works..."
"Look here, the night banquet at Prince Gong's Mansion cost three thousand five hundred taels of silver... Oh my god, this is money! Tsk, tsk, tsk..."
The more people read, the more excited they became, because this newsprint posted on the wall was full of things that happened around the people and that were of interest to them. There are even stories written by officials about how such-and-such a restaurant is selling off substandard goods, and how such-and-such a drugstore is making things difficult for the poor.
Those who seize people's wealth, those who scavenge ashes, those who shamelessly marry fourteen-year-old concubines, those whose wives are jealous and get angry, all are listed in the gossip news, and the characters in them are all well-known in Sijiu City.
This is a big deal. You may believe these words, but the things inside are really bizarre. But if you don’t believe it, the mysterious Eight Banners Master will confirm it in a weird tone at any time.
The Chinese people love to watch the excitement and spread rumors, which is fully exposed at this moment. People's eyes lit up after reading these gossips. The impact was no less than an extra rainbow in the sky on a dreary winter day.
"Look, everyone, it's written here: 'The people have the right to know, and they can tell others everything.' Oh, that makes sense. Look, this piece of paper has a name, People's Knowledge News? It turns out that this piece of paper is foreign The newspaper that people often talk about?”
"People's Knowledge News... People's Knowledge News? Oh, I'll take it off first. I'll tell you later. When Shuntian Mansion sees it, I'll definitely have to tear it up. I can't bear to part with such a beautiful thing..."
The words awakened the dreamer, and the people present took off the newspapers stuck on the wall, rolled them under the creaking nest, and went home.
This scene was constantly being staged in the streets and alleys of the capital. By the time Shuntian Prefecture discovered this treacherous newsprint, there was nothing left for them to destroy on the long street.
These officers were on the verge of tears. They knew that the imperial court's order would be issued soon. But what can they do? In order to wipe out these guerrillas who are sticking around everywhere, Shuntian Mansion even asked for help from Ouchi experts. But what's the use? The city of Beijing is so big that it is impossible to guard against these flies that run away with just one shot.
Moreover, what's the use of just defending the city of Beijing? How can you defend the suburbs, counties, villages and towns surrounding the capital? All troops stationed? Or should they all send out Ouchi guards? The huge Qing Dynasty was full of loopholes in defense, and people's hearts and minds could not be enclosed by the Great Wall.
"It's wicked. People who do this kind of thing are so wicked. Do you think it was Xiao Letian who did it?"
"Brother, do you still need to ask? After the entire purge, who can still have such a big hand like this Japanese devil? He just throws the money away like waste paper."
"Don't be so sad, you two. Come and take a look. This newsprint is really nice! Ouch, the household secretary is actually an old man!"
"Where's it? Where's it? Let's see..." A group of government officials also came to be interested, huddled together and looked at each other with their heads on top, laughing non-stop.
Before noon, Shuntian Mansion was already crowded with a group of angry officials and merchants. These people who had been attacked by newspapers crowded into the lobby of Shuntian Mansion and forced the governor to immediately remove these illegal posters and return them to them. A fair one.
The entire Shuntian Mansion was furious, thinking that you have done something embarrassing, why don't you let others talk about it? If you want justice, go to the court, go to Xiao Letian who prints newsprint.
The cynicism of Shuntian Prefecture made these officials and merchants furious. Several of the most senior officials immediately started to communicate with each other, and a joint complaint was posted in the Forbidden City that afternoon.
The emperor and the queen mother had known about this new thing for a long time. On the one hand, they were angry at Xiao Letian's boldness, and on the other hand, they were angry at the greed and shamelessness of these officials.
"You want an explanation? Do you want the court to deal with you shameless people? I'm dreaming... Come here, let Shuntian Mansion deal with those unscrupulous businessmen first, and check them one by one to see if it is true!"
Empress Dowager Ci'an rarely got angry, but this old Buddha was the real Buddha in the Forbidden City. After Xianfeng's death, she was actually in charge of the empire. As a mediocre general in the Eight Banners of the Qing Dynasty, others would not dare to kill her. Let’s start, this is a politician who never lets up his guard at critical moments.
"Businessmen are easy to deal with, but what about the officials?" Prince Gong was a little confused.
"What's not easy to do? Let them go home and think about the past behind closed doors, and then screen them one by one. If they are wronged, I will stand up for them. If they are not wronged, don't think that the court is easy to fool!"
Seeing that the real Buddha was angry, Andehai started to make a small plan: "These unscrupulous businessmen and black-hearted officials must be dealt with properly. Lafayette, don't be angry. The most important thing now is to deal with Xiao Letian and him." The detective who stayed in the palace..." As he said that, he also cast his eyes on Er Mao in the corner of the palace.
At this moment, Andehai saw a flash of white light in front of his eyes, and a large cup of hot tea was poured on his face. "Bold dog slave, you still dare to discuss politics? What is the court going to do? Do you still want to listen to you?" What’s your opinion? Come here, go out and chastise thirty..."
Andehai knelt on the ground like a mangy dog, "Master Lafayette, please have mercy on me, please have mercy on Lafayette!" After saying this, he looked at Cixi with pitiful eyes.
At this time, Cixi had no choice. Her slave, who was shameless, shamelessly hit the muzzle of the gun. She couldn't persuade her, so she could only watch her beloved slave being dragged out.
After a while, Anderhai's screams like a dead dog came from outside the Kung Fu Palace. After more than ten battles, Ci'an winked at Zhou Daoying, and the eunuch who was serving Emperor Tongzhi quickly walked out of the hall. , under his instruction, the sticks at the back were just for formality.
If the thirty sticks were really used, Andehai's dog would have to be killed. Thanks to Ci'an, Ci'an finally saved some face for Cixi, so he was merciful. Even though Ande Hai was dragged in like this, he was still beaten half to death, with blood oozing out of his buttocks.
"Everyone can see clearly that this is the fate of eunuchs who discuss politics. Take him down and let the eunuch hospital send someone to apply medicine!"
After Andehai's farce, everyone felt much calmer. Ci'an calmed down and suddenly smiled at Ermao.
"Er Mao, come here, I have something to ask you..." Now Ermao's status is extraordinary. He is not only the personal eunuch beside the little emperor, the leader of Western learning, but also a negotiator between the royal family and Xiao Letian. Loudspeaker.
The role of Ermao is a bit like the hotline between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. When encountering some conflicts, representatives of both sides can communicate with each other through this hotline. What was discussed in detail is highly confidential and absolutely not The general public will be informed.
Reputation sometimes seems quite ridiculous, but it is actually what people commonly call face. Politicians need face even more. If they want to govern a country, they must maintain the country's reputation. They cannot let the people all over the world laugh at them and be completely disappointed.
Everyone in the palace understood Ci'an's attitude. The royal family was about to bow its head. The specific negotiations were put aside for now. Anyway, Xiao Letian must stop such despicable attacks. The reputation of the imperial court cannot be reduced any further.
"Er Mao, give your godfather a message. Wait for him to come to the capital to talk about anything. Nothing is non-negotiable. What does he want? Open a school to spread Western learning? Or expand his foreign business? What? As long as there is no intention of rebellion, why can't the court tolerate it? Let him stop first, even if the Ai family bows to him..."
Good guy, as soon as these words came out, everyone present was shocked. If this spread out, the court would be devastated. The Queen Mother of a powerful country actually bowed her head to Xiao Letian, a businessman with no official status. How can she save her face?
When Er Mao heard this, he quickly kowtowed, "Why did the Queen Mother say this? How dare your godfather rebel? He has no choice but to do this! Wuwuwu..." Ermao cried bitterly as he spoke.
"Master, Ermao will always be the slave of the royal family. Even if my godfather and I have a personal grudge, it can't overwhelm the favor of the royal family. Master, don't test the slave. The slave is willing to pass on the message. I just ask the Queen Mother to see that the slave is young. For the sake of it, don’t blame me for doing the wrong thing..."
Er Mao has really experienced it, and he bursts into tears as soon as he says it, "My slave is no longer a living person. Where else can we live in this big world except in the palace? To be honest, when we leave the Forbidden City, we are worse than a wild dog." ah!"
The whimpering made the little emperor soften his heart: "Er Mao, stand up. I still believe in you. I'm just letting you be a sounding board now. Don't think too much..."
After the show of loyalty was over, the next step was the negotiation. Ermao poured beans out of a bamboo tube and laid out Xiao Letian's conditions without a second thought.
First of all, the court must clarify the rumors of Xiao Letian's rebellion to the outside world. Sun Sanhu and the others must have been responsible for the shit basin. The execution ground on Tanggu Pier is ready. When the time comes, he will be charged with causing the riot with a knife.
The second is the trouble caused by the Qingliu people. These scholars used to curse a few words, but from now on the court must ensure that there will be no more demonstrations against Xiao Letian.
There is also financial compensation. After all, Sun Sanhu represents the Forbidden City, and what he holds in his arms is the genuine secret. Then the court should make up for the losses he caused. The Xiao family mansion in Tanggu and the concierge in Beijing, and the goods in several warehouses will have to lose money. Xiao Letian can't suffer too much loss, right?
Normally, the court could accept these three conditions if they pinched their noses, but when Er Mao mentioned Xiao Letian's fourth request, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became serious.
"The fourth point, which is the last point, is that in view of the two riots in Tanggu Port a year, the Chinese and foreign merchants are already frightened, especially the foreign merchants who have fallen into panic. In order to appease people's hearts, please ask the imperial army to retreat to Tianjin Guards, The security authority of Tanggu Port is solely responsible for the Merchant Guard... "One stone stirs up a thousand waves, and this one can be regarded as a stab in the lungs of the imperial court.
